Pre-season 2010: Sydney FC 1-2 Blackburn Rovers - Convincing display ensures Rovers leave Australia on a winning note

Sam Allardyce still in search for a new striker...

31 Jul 2010 14:07:00

By Chris Davie

More On :  Blackburn Rovers
EPL: Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers - Aston Villa (PA)
Sydney 2010 Festival of Football Tournament -
Sydney, Australia
Kick-Off 19:15 local time

Sydney FC 1-2
Blackburn Rovers

Brosque 81'
Emerton 37'
Pedersen 67'


Blackburn Rovers ended the Sydney Festival of Football as runners-up to AEK Athens after defeating Sydney FC 2-1 in their final game.

Sam Allardyce will be pleased with his side’s convincing display against Sydney but a greater concern for the Rovers manager is his shortage of strikers.

With only two weeks until the start of the Premier League season, Rovers are still without an addition to their attacking ranks. Allardyce has been prevented from signing players due to the club’s potential takeover by a group of Indian businessmen.

Rovers did not field a recognised striker against Sydney, winger Morten Gamst Pedersen was delegated the role of makeshift forward, although the Norwegian did not face a watertight defence.

Sydney’s defensive frailties were soon apparent as they were required to clear the ball off the line following a Steven Nzonzi header.

Brett Emerton put Rovers in front in the 37th minute as he latched onto Nzonzi’s flick, controlled the ball with his chest and fired into the net.

Sydney spurned an excellent opportunity to pull level in the 66th minute. Following a slick interchange in midfield, Mick Carle squared the ball to Mark Bridge who squandered the chance by side-footing the ball wide.

Sydney were made to pay for their miss a minute later as Rovers added their second. Junior Hoillet managed to dribble past his defender on the left wing and his cross was flicked on by Keith Andrews, whose effort was parried by the goalkeeper but Pedersen was on hand to poke the ball across the line.

The home side were foiled again by a brilliant save from Mark Bunn. A 20-yard drive from Shannon Cole looked destined for the net but the 25-year-old was able to get his fingertips to the ball.

Following a late spell of pressure, Sydney were rewarded with a goal nine minutes from time. Brendan Gan lost his marker and fed the ball to Alex Brosque and the midfielder neatly curled the ball past Bunn.

Allardyce was pleased with his side’s participation in the tournament, despite losing their first two games against Rangers and AEK Athens.

"If we are invited to come next year we would love to come back to Australia because the organisation of the tournament has been spot on.” Allardyce told Sky Sports News.

“We've been made to feel really welcome and it has really helped our pre-season schedule with the season only two weeks away."

Blackburn: Bunn; Salgado (Chimbonda, 71), Olsson, Nelsen (Hanley, 58), Givet; Grella (Jones, 57), Emerton (Hoilett, 57) Dunn (Andrews, 66), Diouf, Nzonzi; Pedersen.


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